Google exec crafts quite a story

In law school, Jeff Levick gravitated toward corporate dealmaking, and later joined Katten Muchin Zavis, a Chicago law firm, as a mergers and acquisitions lawyer.

"At first, it was interesting, but then it felt like white-collar factory work," Levick said.

"Whether you're buying 20 companies or selling a billion-dollar one, the paper looks the same. Your creativity becomes where you place the comma. I got bored."

Involvement with a tech start-up sale put him on a different path.

"I went to their office to do due diligence and was fascinated: the warehouse space, lots of young people and a successful company," he said.

Eventually, he left the law firm to join a tech company in business development. Now at 37, he is Chicago-based director of industry strategy and marketing for the Americas at Google.

* * *

Q. You were a politics major in college and a lawyer. Where did you get your marketing moxie?

A. The marketing gene was always there. The legal path was a small detour. I actually started with the goal to be a journalist. Marketing isn't too dissimilar. It's about creating stories. That's what I'm doing now for Google.

Q. Did anyone mentor you?

A. One of my journalism professors was Ed Diamond, New York Magazine's media columnist. He introduced me to so many people to help me develop my interests. He set up a lunch with Newsweek columnist Jonathan Alter and helped me get jobs, like the "Good Morning America" internship.

Today, my guidance comes from David Bell, former chairman of Interpublic Cos. When you're at a company like Google, working at light speed, you have to make decisions quickly and not question yourself. David helps me not only with business judgment but also with leadership.

Q. How did you get to Google?

A. While at B2B, I pitched a deal to Google and went to New York to meet with Tim Armstrong.

At the second meeting, Tim said he liked my concept but my company was too small. If I was interested in doing my proposal as a Google employee, he said to come back to see him.

When I told my wife I wanted to join Google, she didn't know what Google was but encouraged me. In pitching a deal, I found a new career. Tim's now my boss.

Q. What's the most challenging assignment you've had?

A. I moved to London to set up Google's Europe, Middle East and Africa industry sales strategy. I was in charge of a business plan covering more than 30 countries with different languages and cultures. The biggest challenge was not trying to replicate my U.S. experience. At first, I overcompensated being respectful of local culture.

But I learned it's OK to be an American in Europe. You just need to acknowledge what you bring that's unique. American practices are welcomed, as long as you're locally relevant.

Q. How do you balance work and life?

A. I try to work as hard as I can when I travel, so when I'm in Chicago I spend as much time as possible with our children, Lily, 4 1/2, and Oliver, 2.

My wife, Kate, an Edelman public relations deputy general manager, is an incredible supporter. She lets me travel for work and not feel bad about it.